Good morning Jennifer. I had my surprise of a triple bypass 20 years ago next month, and then 15 years later I became the owner of 2 new heart valves. As a hospital visitor for the past 10 years I have come to realize that while we all have a lot in common each one of our circumstances is different. As I have visited with heart patients I've seen that many time I receive much more than I give, which is common in volunteer work. For example while I was anticipating my upcoming valve replacement I visited with a patient who had just had his second heart operation, the first being about 20 years before. He gave me some words that I share, his first surgery allowed him to be around and raise his children and now this second surgery would allow him to be around for his grand kids. Then he surprised me with the comment that he would sign up now for a third in another 20 years if he could be with his great grand kids. Knowledge about your particular situation is very important, and as Warren stated a sense of humor a huge help to deal with those down days. You are one of the lucky ones who has been given another chance, reach out and embrace it, find a local Mended Hearts group. They will both listen and share their experiences.
I have visited with patients from their early 20's to their early 90's, it is quite a group that you now belong to, and one thing for sure is that we are all different. But we are bonded by our common experience, don't be shy about reaching out, you may not only find the support you need but you may also find that you can give support to another, which is great in itself. I wish you the best and welcome to "The Zipper Club" it is a club of survivors.
------------------------------
Ken Pedlow
[Deland] [FL]
[407-694-6291]
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2018 12:22
From: Jennifer Marsh
Subject: Don't know which way is up...
Hi Everyone, I recently just joined this group. In September 2017 I made 2 trips to a local ER with trouble breathing; on the second visit the doctor on decided to run some additional tests since nothing seemed to be helping. That blood test changed a lot for me.... She came back saying it was my heart. At that point I spaced out while things like "congestive heart failure" "heart attack" "surgery" were being thrown around.... There was I 32, sitting alone in the ER sobbing hysterically. In the next few hours I was tested and hooked up to monitors and rushed to a nearby hospital where they would be doing my surgery. I woke up 17 days after being admitted to the hospital (10 days after surgery) being told there were complications (that's why I was out for so long) and I had CABG x6.... I didn't even know they did 6 bypasses. It was 2 months before I was able to go back home (after 23 days in the hospital I stayed with family for a while) and as much as I'd love to say surgery hasn't changed things, it has. I spend a lot of days thinking how have I gone through this at 32??? Thank you 20 years of diabetes. I am hoping to find some support on here because life has been rough. I still have my good and bad days and the ups and downs.
Any tips, advice, words of wisdom?
------------------------------
Jennifer Marsh
Clifton Park NY
------------------------------